Dedicated to AbbyWatson4 and Robby2Keene

"C'mon, just pick up!" thought Robby, anxiously as he paced back and forth.

He was standing in the tiny space that separated his dad's and the Diazes' respective apartments, trying to call Kenny. Considering it was his fifth attempt, Robby should have given up, yet he found himself continuing to grip his phone tightly in his hand.

Why should he pick up? I completely abandoned him when he needed me the most.

The second this thought appeared in his head, his whole body was flooded by a painful wave of guilt. For so many years, he'd hated his dad for abandoning him. He still remembered the unbearable pain he felt knowing his dad didn't love him, and now, he was putting Kenny through a similar situation just so he could work out his own problems.

"Hello, it's Kenny Payne. If I didn't get to the phone in time to answer this call, then don't worry. I'm probably just busy playing Dungeon lore," reassured Kenny's automated voicemail.

His voice had a softness to it that Robby hadn't heard in weeks.

That's who he really is. Not the twisted monster that Cobra Kai, that I, made him into.

He pushed his phone into his pocket, disappointedly.

Robby leaned back against the discolored outer wall of Johnny's apartment, running his hand across his temple. He'd expected it to be grueling to fix his mistakes (the ones that are even fixable), but he felt like ever since they'd returned from Mexico, he'd been running in circles around all his problems.

Dad told me that it's not safe at Cobra Kai with Sensei Silver in charge and I promised myself I'd actually try to listen to him (try being a loose term).

But maybe he didn't have to go to the dojo to see Kenny?

There's no harm in checking in with him at the Paynes' home.

At this thought, Robby practically ran to his "borrowed" convertible and started the engine.

I'll be back soon, dad.

It felt like an eternity before the car finally arrived at its desired destination, his mind racing with various ideas on how to explain to his protege why he'd left. The truth seemed like the best option, though he knew it'd only endanger Kenny even more if he did.

Whatever I do, I can't lie to him.

Robby had only been to the Paynes' home once before when he'd returned Kenny's backpack after his first "try-out" for Cobra Kai. There was nothing too special about the neighbor. Most of the houses were made of brick and sat a few feet apart with lawns of lowly cut grass.

Occasionally, he could spot a brightly colored flower sprouting from the moist ground hidden beneath the wet grass.

He parked his car a few blocks away from the Payne house in order to avoid any confusion. Kenny would surely recognize it, but the same couldn't be said of the neighbors. It might raise some red flags if someone saw a battered teenager in an unknown vehicle walking up to their neighbor's house, and he really didn't feel like adding being arrested again to his list of issues at the moment. He pressed the doorbell lightly and waited for someone to let him in. There was obviously no guarantee that someone was even present at the house, although at this point, anything was worth trying.

The door was opened a few seconds later by Kenny's older brother (and Robby's former juvie cellmate), Shawn Payne.

How could I have completely forgotten that he was being released while I was gone?
"Nice to see you got out on time," commented Robby, shaking Shawn's hand cordially (or as cordially as Robby really could).

"The guards finally got enough of me, I guess," added Shawn, sarcastically.

Shawn always brought an air of intimidation with him due to both his height and muscular build.

"So, is Kenny here?" asked Robby calmly.

He wasn't sure how much he'd mentioned about his absence.

"He's still training at that karate dojo place. Do you wanna tell me why you're not?" questioned Shawn bluntly.

In the mere second that their eyes met, Robby could already feel Shawn's anger building up.

Well, that answers that question.

Luckily, he still vividly remembered Daniel LaRusso's lessons on avoiding confrontation.

"Look, I'm sorry that I wasn't there for him after the tournament," confessed Robby, honestly.

Shawn continued to stare, unamused.

"You still didn't answer my question," pushed Shawn, his voice getting harsher with each syllable.

Robby stared back at him, skeptically.

Is he really at the dojo or does he just not want me to see him?

"I promise that I'll explain everything to you later, I just need to talk to Kenny first," sighed Robby, agitatedly before pushing past Shawn.

He felt a firm grip grab his shoulder and spin him around forcefully.

"You really think I'm going to let you go anywhere near my brother," said Shawn, squeezing his shoulder tighter.

Is he really going to make me fight him?!

"Get your hand off me," warned Robby, anger slowly rising within his chest.

"Make me," growled Shawn through gritted teeth.

Without a second's thought, Robby ripped Shawn's hand off his shoulder and flipped him roughly onto the ground.

"Is that the best you've got, karate boy," taunted Shawn.

Robby quickly jumped off the ground to evade his opponent's leg sweep.

This is exactly what I didn't want to happen!

Shawn huffed angrily, clenching both fists tightly.

"I trusted you to protect my little brother!" shouted Shawn before charging Robby into the ground.

He felt his back collide roughly with the stone pavement pathway that led up to the house's front door. Robby swiftly rolled to the right, barely dodging Shawn's punch.

I need to stick to only defense if I'm not going to hurt him.

Robby blocked Shawn's left foot before it hit his stomach.

"I don't want to hurt you," said Robby as he pushed himself to his feet.

He readied himself for Shawn's next attack, holding one fist steadily at his side and the other just in front of his ribs.

"Then don't," argued Shawn, standing up opposite of Robby.

Regret slowly started to crawl up Robby's spine as he looked into Shawn's eyes. They were filled with the same emotion consuming Robby's every action.

This was a mistake.

Robby breathed heavily, his arms still held steady as he took several steps backwards.

"I'll go, just promise me you'll watch Kenny, okay? He needs a mentor who isn't selfish like me," asked Robby, honestly.

Just saying those words was more painful than any of the many injuries that covered Robby's body.

"You're right about that," answered Kenny's stern voice from behind him.

As soon as Robby turned around, his eyes jumped to Kenny's bruised knuckles.

Did he get those from training or a fight?

"Kenny, I'm-"

"Save it. I don't want to hear another empty promise," stated Kenny, a look of disappointment covering his face.

He nodded for Shawn to head back into the house which he did unwillingly.

"If you don't want to see me anymore, I understand, but you have to listen to me when I tell you that you need to leave Cobra Kai now. Silver is just using you," explained Robby firmly.

As these words left his mouth, Robby heard something change in his own tone that reminded him identically of someone close to him.

"You mean like what you did to me? How you trained me just long enough to help you win your stupid trophy!" retorted Kenny, coldly.

Robby didn't respond, he couldn't respond.

It had technically started out that way, Robby seeking a valuable asset in the younger division, but he'd become so much more to him than just another Cobra Kai student.

"Oh wait, I forgot. You didn't win," added Kenny with a grin.

No, it doesn't matter what happens. He needs to listen to you.

"You're right, about all of it. I'm just as bad as Sensei Kreese and Silver, maybe even worse, but you don't have to be. You still have time to change!"

"I don't want to change! This is who I am now, and if that's like Sensei Silver then, even better."

Robby couldn't believe what he was hearing.

My dad was right. He's too far gone and it's all my fault.

"I'm going to go back to the person who actually cares about me," commented Kenny, angrily slamming the door behind him.

And as Robby watched his former student slam the door, he knew all chance of redemption was lost.